NEW DELHI: Former US President Donald Trump once again raised concerns over a $21 million US government fund reportedly allocated for “voter turnout in India,” questioning why such an amount was being spent abroad instead of boosting voter participation within the United States.

Speaking at the Republican Governors Association, Trump also criticized a $29 million grant aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape, expressing skepticism over how these funds were being utilized.

*”We’re allocating $21 million for voter turnout in India, sending it to my friend, Prime Minister Modi.”* What about our own voter turnout?”*Trump stated.

He further mocked the allocation of $29 million to a little-known firm in Bangladesh, suggesting it was a wasteful expenditure.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted Trump’s remarks on social media, mocking the opposition. *”For the third day in a row, Trump has once again asserted that USAID funded voter turnout in India.”*But does he even know how his own country spends its money?”* Malviya questioned.

Previously, Trump had alleged that the US was using these funds to meddle in India’s elections, suggesting a broader agenda. *”Why is $21 million being allocated for voter turnout in India?”* Looks like they were trying to get someone else elected,” he claimed.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s claims, calling the disclosures *”deeply troubling.”* MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that relevant authorities were investigating the potential implications of such foreign involvement.

The controversy also sparked a political row in India. Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the BJP, alleging hypocrisy in its stance on foreign funding, recalling past instances of US support for social movements in India.

As Trump continues to highlight US foreign aid in his speeches, the debate over the alleged funding and its political ramifications is gaining momentum on both sides of the globe.